Estrogen, progesterone and the gastrointestinal tract

Administration of postmenopausal hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) is increasing. Both estrogen and progesterone have established effects upon the gastrointestinal tract. Our objective was to review the current literature and inform the primary care obstetrician-gynecologist of the physiologic and possible therapeutic effects of estrogen and progesterone upon the gastrointestinal tract. We performed a MEDLINE search of the English-language literature from 1966 through April 2000 utilizing the following keywords: estrogen, progesterone, oral contraceptives, hormonal replacement therapy, esophagus, stomach, peptic ulcer disease, gallbladder, irritable bowel syndrome, colon, inflammatory bowel disease, ischemic colitis and arteriovenous malformations. This review provides an abundance of data supporting that estrogen and progesterone have both beneficial and detrimental effects on the esophagus, stomach, gallbladder, and small and large intestine.